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The Local Plan

​The Local Plan sets out a vision and framework for development in the borough. It addresses needs and opportunities across a number of themes, including housing, the economy, community facilities, infrastructure, and the environment.

The Local Plan is the starting-point for considering whether planning applications can be approved. Along with the London Plan it forms the Development Plan against which individual proposals are assessed.​​​

Aerial view of Newham
If you are looking for our Local Development Scheme (LDS), Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), evidence base documents, Authority Monitoring Reports (AMR) or details of live or recent consultations, please refer to the Local Plan development and review page.
 


Local Plan Policies Map

The Local Plan Policies Map (2018)​ provides a spatial representation of the policies within the Local Plan. It shows where sites are identified for certain uses and where different types of policies apply.

To understand the Policies Map it needs to read it in conjunction with the Local Plan below.
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The Local Plan

On Monday 10 December 2018 at a meeting of Full Council, the Local Plan (2018) was formally adopted as part of the Development Plan. 

In formally adopting the Local Plan (2018), the London Borough of Newham Local Plan: ​Core Strategy (adopted January 2012) and Local Plan: Detailed Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (adopted 20 October 2016) have been formally withdrawn.
 

Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Development Plan Document

The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation DPD (2017)​ provides policy to determine any planning application for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.
 
 

Joint Waste Plan

The Joint Waste Plan was produced in partnership with the four East London Waste Authority Boroughs - it sets out how we will deal with waste generated in the sub-region up to 2021.
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Supplementary Guidance

There are a number of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that support the implementation of the Local Plan. These may be used in the assessment of planning applications, though they have less weight than adopted DPDs.

The Stratford Metropolitan Masterplan can also be used as a guide in the assessment of applications in the Stratford area.

If you are unsure how SPDs effect your application you are encouraged to seek pre-application advice from the council.

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Lea River Park

The Leaway will provide a continuous walking and cycling route along the River Lea, linking Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the Royal Docks and the Thames. The council, together with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and London Borough of Tower Hamlets, has delivered the first phase of projects and is working to deliver further improvements along the route.
 
The Leaway is the backbone to the Lea River Park, a series of interconnected spaces that will transform the riverside and link the Lee Valley Regional Park to the north with the River Thames.

Delivery of the Lea River Park is a strategic objective within the Local Plan and has the support of local councillors and neighbouring authorities. The park will be transformative for the western boundary of the Borough, improving connections, outdoor amenity and leisure provision.
 
Developments alongside the River Lea and in the vicinity of identified Lea River Park projects should ensure they are facilitating delivery of the Lea River Park vision.

More information is provided in guidance prepared by the LLDC:
  • the Primer (which sets out the vision, benefits and key features of the park)
  • the Design Manual (which establishes principles and examples for the design of waterside interventions)
  • the Curatorial Approach (which seeks to ensure the historic legacy of the River Lea is reflected in artistic and cultural activity within the park).
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Article 4 Directions

Article 4 Directions give additional legal control over certain types of development in identified areas. Current Article 4s in Newham mean that:
 
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Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP)

The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) identifies infrastructure requirements across the borough, setting out what is needed, where, and when. It includes projects relevant to waste, transport, education, utilities, health, culture, sports, the emergency services, and green infrastructure.


The IDP is used as evidence for both the Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), it also helps co-ordinate the partnerships required to deliver infrastructure improvements in a timely manner to support development.

The IDP will be updated as needed to inform further iterations of the Local Plan and CIL Charging Schedule.

Infrastructure Delivery Plan (PDF)​

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London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC)

If your development proposal falls within the boundaries of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) they will be the relevant Local Planning Authority and the proposal will be assessed in accordance with their Local Plan.
 
The relevant boundary is shown on Policies Map. Visit the LLDC website for further information.
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London City Airport Main Constraints

London City Airport Main Constraints comprise:

  • Safeguarding
  • Full Use Noise Contours
  • Public Safety Zones

These are shown as layers on the interactive map.

Interactive map showing London City Airport Main Constraints

Safeguarding

The Aerodrome Safeguarding Map for London City Airport was published by the Civil Aviation Authority in October 2004.

The interactive map shows how different parts of Newham are affected and indicates when proposals for development above specified heights should be referred to London City Airport for comment. 

The Airport states that ‘birds are the greatest threat to aircraft at any aerodrome.’ In certain circumstances therefore, Airport operational requirements may restrict some biodiversity interventions in order to discourage bird attractants and thus minimise bird strikes. 

While it has no formal planning status, the Airport has issued guidance on this topic, which should be considered a starting point for discussions around how relevant LBN Local Plan Policies (SC3 and SC4 in particular) should be implemented in relevant areas. 

Please note:
  • ​that restrictions on biodiversity do not mean that measures to promote biodiversity cannot be incorporated into a development scheme
  • in relation to development plan policies and assessment of planning applications, the Airport guidance carries no ‘weight’.  
Guidance can be found on the London City Airport Airport website​. 

Full Use Noise Contours

London City Airport is expanding in accordance with current planning permissions. The number of flights is forecast to increase and noise levels within the vicinity of the Airport are forecast to increase as a result.

The interactive map shows forecast noise levels in terms of Decibel Contours to inform applicants for planning permission in those areas that the design of buildings and open spaces should include appropriate measures to mitigate the forecast noise levels. 

Public Safety Zones

Development within the designated Public Safety Zones is extremely restricted. Guidance on what type of development might be acceptable or unacceptable in principle can be found in Circular 1/2010: ‘Control of Development in Airport Public Safety Zones.

​Annual Performance Report 2018

Further information on the Airport can be found in the 2018 Annual Performance Report, on the London City Airport Consultative Committee website:
London City Airport Consultative Committee website​
 
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Epping Forest Mitigation Zones

Important advice from Natural England regarding residential development

Natural England has issued formal advice concerning the handling of Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) in the vicinity of Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation and the impacts on the integrity of the SAC that may arise from new residential development.

As the ‘appropriate nature conservation body’ for the purposes of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017​, Natural England’s advice has great weight and the Council has a duty to follow it.

At present, in order to comply with the 2017 regulations and March 2019 advice, all residential development that falls within the 6.2km ‘Zone of Influence’​ will be subject to a project-level HRA screening and, where necessary, appropriate assessment.

From 1st April 2019, the Council (as the ‘competent authority’ under 2017 regulations) will carry out the screening and any required appropriate assessment at the planning application stage.

Residential development which will be subject to screening includes:
  • New dwellings of 1+ units (excluding replacement dwellings and extensions).
  • Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
  • Student accommodation.
  • Residential care homes and residential institutions (excluding nursing homes).
  • Residential caravan sites (excluding holiday caravans and campsites).
  • Gypsy, traveller, and travelling show-person plots.
Having regard to Natural England’s advice, the Council’s starting point will be that residential development within the 6.2 km zone (given the need for impacts to be assessed ‘in combination’ not just on individual sites) will have a likely significant effect on the integrity of the Epping Forest SAC as a result of increased recreational pressure. As such, suitable mitigation will be required in order for a conclusion to be reached, via appropriate assessment, that no adverse effects on the integrity of the SAC will arise so as to allow planning permission to be granted.
‘Suitable mitigation’ may be in the form of financial contributions to management of the SAC and/or contributions (physical or financial) to suitable alternative natural green space (SANGs) that can alleviate recreational pressures on the SAC. The Council, in partnership with Natural England, will assess how specific contributions and/or measures are calculated and identified for each development according to the scale and location of the proposal, having regard to the issued advice.
The Council’s Interim Habitats Funding Statement (April 2019)​ contains more information on expected financial contributions towards the Epping Forest Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (the ‘SAMMS contribution’).
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